France
Billaud-Simon Chablis Grand Cru Bougros 2021
The nose is greeted by an enticing bouquet of delicate white flowers, intertwined with subtle notes of citrus blossom and a hint of honeysuckle. Beneath this floral veil lies a mineral core, evocative of wet stones after a summer rain, complemented by whispers of flint and sea breeze, a signature of the Chablis terroir.
Bougros is located on the right bank of the Serein River, in the north west corner of the Grand Cru slope, which flows through the Chablis region. It has a remarkable south east exposure and the steepest slope of all the Chablis Grand Crus.
Marquis 2018 D’alesme Margaux
55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 5% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot aging in 65% new oak
96 Points, Robert Parker: Deep purple-black in color, it leaps from the glass with bold, expressive black cherries, warm plums, crème de cassis and red roses scents with touches of baking spices, potpourri and fragrant earth. Full-bodied, rich and opulent, it completely fills the palate with hedonic black fruit preserves and spices, framed by firm, velvety tannins and finishing with fantastic length.
95 Points, Wine Spectator: Gorgeous mouthfeel right from the first sip, with a velvety, fine-grained texture that lets the range of dark plum, black currant and blackberry fruit flavors splay out without losing focus, while mouthwatering black tea, alder and mineral notes wait gracefully in reserve, showing just a hint, for now, of what they can do on the finish.